# Best KDP tools for romance and fiction authors

> What tools do romance and other fiction authors use to write, format and promote novels on KDP?

Fiction on KDP needs a formatter for clean novel interiors, a drafting app for long manuscripts and ways to reach readers. Vellum (Mac) or Atticus (any computer) format novels; Scrivener and Dabble handle drafting; BookFunnel and StoryOrigin deliver reader magnets and ARCs; BookBub and Written Word Media, whose lists include Red Feather Romance, sell genre promotions.

## How we chose

- Built for, or widely used for, novels and series
- Prices published on the vendor's site
- Fits a series workflow: drafting, formatting, ARCs and promotions
- Works within Amazon's review rules and KDP Select exclusivity

## Picks

1. **Vellum** (Novel formatting on Mac). Widely treated as the benchmark for fiction formatting, with clean ebook and print styles and a one-time price for unlimited books. Mac only. Price: $199.99 one-time. https://kdp123.com/t/vellum/
2. **Atticus** (Novel formatting on any computer). Writing and formatting in one app on Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook, exporting EPUB, PDF and DOCX, for $147 once. Price: $147 one-time. https://kdp123.com/t/atticus/
3. **Scrivener** (Drafting long or research-heavy books). Splits a manuscript into scenes you can rearrange and keeps research beside the draft. Its Compile step exports EPUB and PDF, though many authors still use a dedicated formatter for print. Price: $59.99 one-time. https://kdp123.com/t/scrivener/
4. **Dabble** (Drafting on any device). Manuscript binder, plot grid, goals and track changes, synced across devices with offline writing. Exports Word, so pair it with a formatter. Price: From $180/yr. https://kdp123.com/t/dabble/
5. **BookFunnel** (Reader magnets and ARC delivery). Delivers ebook files through download pages, group promos and ARC campaigns. Its own guidance says not to give away a KDP Select ebook, so use a separate reader magnet. Price: From $30/yr. https://kdp123.com/t/bookfunnel/
6. **StoryOrigin** (Newsletter swaps and group promos). Reader magnets, ARCs, newsletter swaps and group promos with other authors for $10 a month or less, with a free basic plan. Needs a separate email service to send newsletters. Price: Free tier, paid from $10/mo. https://kdp123.com/t/storyorigin/
7. **BookBub Partners** (The biggest price-promotion lists). Featured Deals reach genre readers by email, with the full fee table published; editors pick only 10-20% of eligible deals. BookBub Ads are a separate self-serve option. Price: From $122. https://kdp123.com/t/bookbub/
8. **Written Word Media** (Low-cost genre newsletter promos). Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy and the romance list Red Feather Romance sell one-day placements with published prices, useful around a free or Countdown deal. Price: From $20. https://kdp123.com/t/written-word-media/

## Considered, not picked

- Sudowrite: A capable fiction AI, but AI-generated text has to be disclosed to KDP. It is in the AI tools category for authors who want it.
- Booksprout: Good for running an ARC team, but any review campaign needs a paid plan; StoryOrigin covers ARCs plus swaps for less.

Last reviewed: 2026-11-09. Page: https://kdp123.com/best/kdp-tools-for-fiction-authors/. No vendor paid to be listed.